The first Windows 8 phone could arrive this summer

Yes, you read that right, it is a smartphone with the same Windows 8 desktop, suitably modified to offer Internet services telephony. The invention is called I-mate. Maybe you've heard of it, because the topic has been kicking around for months.

To date, the only thing that has been seen of I-mate are videos and, theoretically, it was going to have been presented at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona held this year, although it couldn't be. If you check the website of the company behind the product, you'll only get a terse “ More information coming soon… ”, but it seems that the project is now much further along and the release date more concrete in time: this summer

As for the device itself, we are talking about a phone with 4.7-inch screen, with a resolution of 1,280 x 768 pixels , a resolution that does fall within the new minimums set by Microsoft. The processor will be an Intel Z2760 Clover Trail , a product specially designed for tablets and hybrids.

Wrapped in an aluminum casing, I-mate will feature 2 GB of RAM, enough to run Windows 8 decently,64 GB of internal memory, 8 MP front camera and 2 MP for the rear, and everything that can be required of a latest generation smartphone: GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, etc. As for the battery, it will be 3,000 mAh, capable of enduring 10 hours of conversation or 6 hours of video playback, according to the company.

I-mate will have its own cellular connectivity interface. Since Windows 8 is not ready for dial-up connections, these will be channeled through the Lync communications software.According to the company, I-mate only needs 45 milliseconds to handle an incoming call

According to the source of the news, the project has gone through various vicissitudes, to the point that it almost disappears. No help from Microsoft, among other things because Windows 8 is not designed for phones. Intel has collaborated with the company.

It would be great if this brave bet came to fruition, and curious how they have solved that of fitting the Windows 8 desktop on such a small screen. The price of the device will be around 750 dollars, with which the target audience is focused on the company. There will also be the possibility of adding a docking system similar to that of Asus Padfone.

Thanks Paul SJ for the tip and kindly email him

Via | PCWorld